Hello I am starting my first 30 gallon freshwater tank and I was hoping to have some Gouramis in my there. I know that some can get either too big or too aggressive so I was wondering if any of you would have a suggestion. I am planning on having the temp. at 75 (F). I need some recommendations quick, as I plan to stock it in a month. Thank you!

Pop Puffer

06-27-2013 05:24 PM

I also plan to have the PH at around 7.0

possibility

06-27-2013 05:44 PM

I can give you some recommendations on some good gourami species for that tank size and some to avoid. Some of these fish might be a little tough to come by but some are relatively common. In most tanks for small retiring gourami's you need to be careful of the tank mates. No fin nipping species, large aggressive fish, or overly competitive species. One good choice would be a Dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia). Males aren't very tolerant of each other but more peaceful than many other species. They are quite hardy, and fit your temperature range. They are not picky eaters either. I would recommend a quiet tank with many shelters, heavily planted and surface vegetation if possible. A plus for these fish is that chemistry is not a very big concern so as long as you aren't into the extremes these fish will be fine. Thick lipped gouramis (Colisa labiosa) are also acceptable for your tank but you would have to mind your numbers. Males can be intolerant and instead of a maximum of 2 1/2 inches these can grow to 4 inches long. They require similar conditions. Honey gouramis (Colisa chuna) are one of my personal favorites. I do not see them as often but if you do they would be one of the smallest and most peaceful gouramis or at least members of the Colisa genus. They are more retiring and tolerant. this is a very peaceful fish and though they seem delicate they are hardy when it comes down to chemistry. Just mind your tank mates. They actually require almost the exact same conditions as the previous. Pearl gouramis (Trichogaster leeri) can grow to 6 inches long so You could include few individuals of that species in a 30 gallon reasonably. They are relatively peaceful fish (just don't mix them with dwarf gouramis) but their size is a bit of a liability. I recommend a smaller species. Just in case you are interested in these fish for your tank they will accept most foods, like a well planted tank, with some surface vegetation, and open central area and subdued lighting is recommended. I really wouldn't recommend blue gouramis (Trichogaster trichopterus)because they fall into the same size range as the pearls with a harsher temperament. Fish I would avoid altogether include Giant gouramis (Osphronemus goramy), Kissing gouramis (Helostoma temminckii), snakeskin gouramis (Trichogaster pectoralis), Moonlight gouramis (Trichogaster microlepis), Chocolate gouramis (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides), and sparkling gouramis (Trichopsis schalleri). Some of these species are too large to be comfortable in a community in a tank that size. Others have special requirements not typical of other fish. Some just don't fit your temperature range. Just avoid them if you come across them unless you can provide the proper accomodations. The recommended species I believe will do splendidly in a tank like yours just be considerate of their requirements, tank mates and the fact that they are fish and need responsibility to be taken for their life in an aquarium.
Good luck!

Pop Puffer

06-27-2013 06:39 PM

Thanks a lot possibility! I am interested in the Honey Gouramis. They seem to be a good fit and will look very good my tank. Is it possible to breed them under these conditions or would they refuse to reproduce?

Byron

06-27-2013 06:53 PM

Welcome to Tropical Fish Keeping forum, PopPuffer.:-D

As you are new, I will just mention that we have fish profiles in the Reference Material area, and all the species mentioned by possibility are included with info and photos. All obviously under the Anabantid Species section, here: Anabantid Species

Fish are listed by scientific name, in alphabetical order, but if you hold the cursor over the thread title the common name will show (when there is one).

Byron.

possibility

06-27-2013 07:05 PM

I think that it could be possible if you provide the right conditions. And sometimes you just get lucky and nature takes its course. If you are really serious about it I would do some research on the specific conditions. I don't know much about breeding but I can give you some information. They are just a little more difficult to breed than dwarf gouramis and are closely related. You could have a pair in a quiet tank. To entice them to mate you would lower the water level and have a slightly higher than normal temperature. The male would build a bubble nest amongst surface vegetation. the female would lay the eggs in the bubble nest and any eggs that fell would be gentley collected and replaced into the nest by the male who now would take full charge. He would chase away any intruders (including his mate!) so unless you have a spacious tank to avoid injury I would remove the female. The male would guard the eggs and the young fry. The hatching would take about a day. in four to five days the fry would be free swimming and the high temperature that triggered the mating should be maintained for several weeks after hatching. To increase the chances I think that feeding the fish a varied diet would be good. I think it would be amazing to witness the building of the nest and the parenting of the male. Betas and gouramis are amazing fathers! Its great to just have honey gouramis in your tank. they are wonderful fish but breeding is an achievement for the fish and you for being such a good caretaker!

Pop Puffer

06-27-2013 07:43 PM

I am currently keeping a beta in a 1 gallon tank. Are they really that good fathers? I've they can get kind of aggressive with their own kind. Wouldn't they attack the male fry when they hatch? I am going to move the beta into a 2 1/2 gallon tank once I get the 30 gal. set up and my guppies are it there.

possibility

06-27-2013 09:15 PM

Beta are one of the best (for a while). Like gouramis they build a bubble nest and when the female lays her eggs he cares for them. Sadly he chases his mate away eventually. She may stay for a short while but soon the territorial behavior of the male will morph into aggressive pursuit. It makes me slightly sad but he is dedicated to the protection of his young. Like gouramis he will monitor the state of his bubble nest and any dropped eggs will be returned to the nest. No one left behind. When the fry hatch he will guard them and stick close to them allowing even the males (his future competitors) to remain in his territory. Sooner or later though he will expel most of the fry from his realm, and in the wild they would simply leave and find their own territories. In aquaria they would be removed from the tank. the females are usually tolerated a bit longer and sometimes the male will allow the females to remain. So for fish betas make exceptional fathers and gourami's and betas are only out-parented by cichlids. Discus even produce a body fluid for the fry to feed off of like mammalian milk!

Pop Puffer

06-28-2013 09:00 AM

Would it be possible to breed any type of gourami in a 10 gallon tank? I have a spare 10 gal. and I was hoping to use it for spawning.

possibility

06-28-2013 02:43 PM

I really wouldn't recommend breeding most gouramis in a ten gallon but some people have been successful with dwarf and honey gouramis. I think that those fish should be given a bit more open space though. It doesn't really seem fitting to me but I suppose it could be done. I am very weary when it comes to the size of a tank. Many would breed these fish in a tank that size, and others would advise that it is preposterous. that is for you to decide because there are so many different opinions. Betas are not gouramis but they could be bred in a tank of that size. The only liability to breeding gouramis and betas is that the female is usually removed for her sake and so the male can relax from his security duties. In a ten gallon there isn't much room for female gouramis to escape when the males become aggressive. Also it sometimes occurs that the males are ready to spawn and the females are not so it is good for the females to have a place to escape and hide from insistent males. You would need to be especially observant with the behavior of the fish if you attempt to breed the fish in a ten gallon tank. Your other option is to try sparkling, croaking or dwarf croaking gouramis. They were not mentioned before because they require slightly different conditions than you are providing in your 20 gallon tank. Croaking gouramis are peaceful but shy fish that may not be quite as hardy as some in the Colisa genus. They accept a wide range of foods (varying a fishes diet can help to induce spawning). In a breeding set up it would be a single species aquarium with the pair. In a community set up they shouldn't be placed with boisterous or fin nipping tank mates. The tank should be heavily planted with lots of shelter for the female. Soft acid or slightly acid water is the preference. The temperature range is preferably 77-82 for all three members of the genus Trichopsis (dwarf croaking, croaking and sparkling). The care and breeding habits are also almost identical. A dark substratum is recommended. The croaking gourami and sparkling gourami can attain a maximum size of 2 3/4 inches but they are usually smaller. The dwarf croaking gourami only attains about 1 1/2 inches. One tip that I forgot to mention about gourami breeding. if the pair are being placed in the aquarium at different times add the female first. If the male is introduced first he will establish a territory that will be fiercely defended. Keep the PH between 6.6 and 7.7 and keep the lighting subdued. Try not to produce a strong current in a breeding aquarium (look into the smaller foam covered filters). The female will probably appreciate some meaty foods in her diet (bloodworms, brine shrimp, etc.). Lower the water level just like you would do for honeys. These are bubble nest builders too as are most gourami species. When it is time for them to mate lower the water level to half, increase the temperature and I would recommend turning the filter off (this goes for all species) just keep the water and chemistry good. The eggs will hatch in about one day for croaking gouramis (two for sparkling and dwarf croaking gouramis). Most of the breeding conditions here are also good for other species even larger ones such as turning off the filter, lowering the water level, and increasing the temperature. I would do some extra research before rushing in and get some more information and opinions. Keep interested in fish!